Texas backup quarterback Arch Manning stepped up in place of the injured Quinn Ewers, leading the No. 2 Longhorns to a commanding 56-7 victory over UTSA on Saturday night in Austin. Manning showcased his skills by passing for 223 yards and four touchdowns while also contributing a 67-yard rushing touchdown during his most significant college playtime to date.
Ewers, who was playing well with 185 yards on 14-of-16 passing along with two touchdowns before his exit, suffered a noncontact oblique strain early in the second quarter after a pass to tight end Gunnar Helm. Although Ewers remained in the game for one more play, he was later seen in street clothes on the sideline before halftime.
Manning entered the contest with just under 12 minutes left in the second quarter and quickly made an impact, completing 9 of his 12 pass attempts. His first play included a 19-yard touchdown pass to DeAndre Moore Jr. Following that, he displayed his athleticism with a remarkable 67-yard rushing touchdown, marking the longest run by a Texas quarterback since Vince Young in 2005.
At halftime, Manning had extended the lead to 28-7 and continued with impressive plays, including a 51-yard touchdown pass to Isaiah Bond, a 75-yard touchdown connection with Ryan Wingo, and a 12-yard score to Johntay Cook II in the fourth quarter.
The Longhorns scored on five of Manning’s nine possessions, amassing an impressive 614 total yards at an average of 9.2 yards per play.
Manning credited his success to the talented players and coaching staff around him, stating, “It helps when you have great players around you and good coaches.” This game marked his first substantial experience as a quarterback after having made limited appearances in 2023.
Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian mentioned that the severity of Ewers’ injury is still uncertain but indicated it doesn’t appear to involve any fractures. Ewers has faced injury challenges in the past, including multiple games missed during the previous season.
Next, Texas will face UL Monroe to finish its nonconference schedule before transitioning into SEC play against Mississippi State on September 28. Following an idle week, they will prepare to take on rival Oklahoma on October 12.
Sarkisian expressed optimism about Ewers’ recovery and mentioned that he was in good spirits, hoping the injury wouldn’t keep him sidelined for long. Meanwhile, Manning’s performance has significantly influenced Heisman Trophy odds, shifting dramatically from 150-1 to 16-1 after the game, while Ewers’ odds shifted from a favorite to 18-1 following his injury.